Match11 interesting facts and figures ahead of Villarreal showdown
Liverpool host Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final this evening.
The Reds will be hoping to take an advantage to Estadio de la Ceramica next week as they bid to reach European football’s showpiece event in Paris on May 28.
Here, we provide a statistical preview ahead of tonight’s match…
This is the second time the two clubs have been drawn together in European competition – the first came in the 2016 Europa League semi-final, with Liverpool winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool went on to lose the final 3-1 in Basel to a Sevilla side managed by current Villarreal head coach Unai Emery. Four players remain at Anfield from the 18-man squad that evening – Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Divock Origi.
Liverpool have now reached their 12th European Cup semi-final, which has equalled the British record. The Reds have gone on to the final on nine occasions.
Jürgen Klopp’s side have won eight of their 10 Champions League games this season.
Liverpool have lost only two semi-finals in this competition – to Internazionale in 1965 and Chelsea in 2008.
The Reds have lost only one European semi-final at Anfield – to Leeds United in the 1971 Fairs Cup – winning 15 and drawing three of the other 18. Since that loss, they are unbeaten in 16 at this stage at home, winning 13.
Ibrahima Konate could become the first Liverpool defender in history to score in three successive European games. In the home leg against Benfica earlier this month, he became only the fourth Red ever to net his opening two goals for the club in European competition.
Konate heads the opener against Benfica
Alisson Becker has played every minute of Liverpool’s European campaign so far this season.
Victory for Klopp’s side will see them equal the club record of 43 wins in a season, set in 2019-20 (including penalty shootout victories).
Villarreal have won four of their last five away matches in European competition.
They have met English teams on 21 previous occasions, winning six times, with seven draws and eight defeats.
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.